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The Great Gatsby Essay – Comparing/Contrasting the Film and the Novel Organizing a Literary Comparison A literary comparison should – guess what?? – have a point! It should not simply list similarities and differences but the significance of those similarities or differences. For a comparison to be enlightening, it should either highlight how two similar things are actually very different or how two different things are actually very similar. In the process of comparing the two items, you will, of course, explore similarities and differences, but remember that your essay should have a point (your thesis will convey this point too). Point by point (alternating) method Definition: Works are described by focusing on the point of comparison and then discussing the point in both works. Thesis Statement for a Comparison Essay A thesis statement for a comparison should include: 1. The two items being compared. 2. Your basis for comparison which is one of the themes/characters/symbols you have chosen. 3. Your purpose or the point you want your essay to make. Sample thesis statements Unacceptable examples: I am going to compare The Great Gatsby film and novel. The film version of The Great Gatsby is different than the novel. Acceptable example: The modern music combined with the frantic cinematography in the film version of The Great Gatsby distract from the theme of materialism and frivolity intended by Fitzgerald in the novel. Organization/Outline Example Supporting Paragraph #1 Topic Sentence: Although the soundtrack produced by Jay-Z for the film version contains the same themes as the music of the 1920s, the modern style takes away from the originality of the lifestyle of excess prevalent in the Twenties. Example from film Example from novel Supporting Paragraph #2 Topic Sentence: The fast moving cinematography and quick transitions in the film leave the viewer unable to focus on the setting of materialism and excess so wonderfully described by Fitzgerald in the novel and so important to the theme intended. Example from film Example from novel Conclusion Paragraph

For more help, visit http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina/eng256/support/litcompare.htm#samp.

Comparison Essay Rubric Intro Paragraph

Supporting Paragraphs: Topic Sentences

Supporting Paragraphs: Examples Supporting Paragraphs: Analysis

Conclusion Paragraph

Overall Organization

Grammar, Mechanics, & Format

Use of Time

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Provides an essay with a relevant intro paragraph that includes a thoughtful thesis containing the 2 works, basis of comparison, & purpose. Provides an essay with clear topic sentences that support the argument of the thesis.

Provides an essay with an applicable intro paragraph that includes a simple thesis containing the 2 works, basis of comparison, & purpose.

Provides an essay with a less than adequate intro paragraph (ex. unrelated to the thesis) and includes a thesis lacking in the 3 elements.

Provides an essay with an unstructured, unrelated intro lacking a clear and arguable thesis.

Provides an essay with clear topic sentences that support the argument of the thesis.

Provides an essay with vague topic sentences that may not clearly support the argument of the thesis.

Includes specific, significant, and relevant examples from the novel & film that support the topic sentence. Includes an explanation that connects the examples back to the argument in a thoughtful & purposeful way.

Includes less specific and relevant examples from the novel & film that support the topic sentence.

Sometimes includes vague & unrelated examples from the novel & film.

Provides an essay without topic sentences and/or includes topic sentences that are unclear or unrelated to the argument of the thesis. Includes generic, unrelated, or no examples from the novel & film.

Sometimes includes an explanation clearly identifying the purpose, but other times includes only a generic explanation of the connection. Provides an adequate  conclusion paragraph that  restates the thesis and the  main points of the essay. 

Only provides a generic explanation of the example or an incorrect/unclear explanation.

Does not provide a connection to the topic sentence.

Provides a conclusion  paragraph that restates the  thesis but includes info that  is unrelated to the paper  topic.

Does not provide a  conclusion paragraph  except to maybe rewrite the thesis.  

Provides transitions in most of the essay, organization, and focus.

Provides transitions sometimes, organization, and stays focused most of the time.

Does not use transitions, lacks organization, and/or loses focus.

Provides a proofread essay with a few errors in grammar, mechanics, or MLA formatting that do not interrupt the understanding of the essay. Uses transitions most of the time between paragraphs and examples. Class time used wisely with some mild disengagement. Assignment turned in on time.

Provides an inadequately proofread essay with several errors that begin to interrupt the understanding of the paper & includes less than 3 elements of MLA formatting. Does not use transitions consistently.

Provides an essay with errors that significantly interrupt the understanding of the essay & includes less than 2 elements of MLA formatting. Does not use transitions.

Class time is not used wisely (e.g., off-task behavior, excessive offtopic conversations, etc.), but assignment turned in on time.

Class time is not used wisely, and book cover is turned in past the deadline.

Provides a relevant &  interesting conclusion  paragraph that reminds  the reader of the thesis,  gives closure to the  essay, & expands the  thoughts of the reader.  Provides advanced transitions throughout the essay, thoughtful organization, flow, and focus. Provides a proofread essay with minimal errors in MLA format. Uses transitions between paragraphs and examples.

Class time used wisely and assignment turned in on time

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